Shift, Tilt, Swing ...
a.k.a View Camera

This project is designed to introduce you to large format photography. This is an in class assignment. You must shoot during class time to earn credit for this assignment.

Goal:  Learn to use, develop and print using a large format camera and selective focus controls.

Notes:

Things to remember when using large format view cameras:

Rise and Fall (up and down)
Changes the placement of the subject from top to bottom. Back rise and fall does not change the shape of the object. Front rise and fall changes the spatial relationship of objects within the scene, and can affect shape due to perspective.



Shift (side to side)
Changes the placement of the subject from side to side. Spatial relationship changes with front shift, but not back shift. Back shift is just like moving the camera side to side. Front shift changes how the lens views objects in relation to each other.



Tilt (angle forward or backward)
Tilting the back changes both the shape and the focus. Tilting the front changes the focus only.



Swing (angle left or right)
Swinging the back changes both the shape and the focus. Swinging the front changes the focus only.



The farther light travels in the camera, the larger it will appear on the plane of focus.

The lens should produce an image circle large enough to accommodate camera movements; 105 wide (wider needs a bag in place of a bellows), 150 normal, and 210 + telephoto.

Use a focusing cloth to be able to see your image focused on the ground glass.

Go in order:

1) set up and zero out camera
2) frame and focus
3) precise adjustments (check DOF by stopping down to preview)
4) final adjustments (use a loupe to check focus and for vignette)
5) make exposure


Loading Film

1) Dust film holders (air and paintbrush)

2) Load film emulsion side out. Emulsion is facing you when you hold the film in your right hand horizontally (by the edges) and you feel the film code notches on the bottom right corner. Open the bottom flap and slide the film into the film holder with emulsion facing out

3) Make sure film is in correctly, then close bottom flap and hold while sliding in the dark slide. There are two sides to the dark slide; black or white (silver in older backs); black means exposed, white means unexposed film. The unexposed side has raised dots to identify which is which in the dark.


Alternative Equipment:
There are special camera lens systems that approximate similar aspects of the view camera.

Lensbabies.com provides many different 35mm lens mounts for different SLR cameras.

Shift/Tilt lenses are also available from most camera manufacturers. These lenses are designed to eliminate or reduce perspective distortion, but can also be used with creative intent.